Cambridge EduX Hackathon 2026 (Oceania Edition)
Applied AI × Education Hackathon
📅 April 2nd – April 9th, 2026
This is a hackathon specially designed not just for tech builders, but also for talents across a wide range of disciplines (e.g., education, research, design, sociology, psychology, and many others). Its core mission is to harness the power of AI and emerging technologies to address real-world challenges in education and learning, while bridging humanities thinkers and technology builders.
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Central Themes
⏱️ Time-bound Applied Innovation Model
A structured sprint designed to support rigorous problem framing, solution development, and practical feasibility within real-world educational contexts. Participants are guided from identifying a meaningful challenge to building a feasible solution within a focused timeline.
🤝 Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Bringing together technologists, educators, researchers, designers, and domain practitioners to co-design solutions grounded in context, pedagogy, and human needs — rather than tool-led experimentation.
💡 Solution-focused Outcomes
Emphasis on clearly articulated solution concepts, appropriate use of AI in education, and feasible implementation pathways, shared through an open showcase and review process. Coding is not the primary focus; meaningful and well-designed educational solutions are.
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Exploration Areas
You will be selecting one of these tracks for your project:
🧠 AI & Personalised Learning
📊 Assessment Innovation
🔍 Search Engine Tools for Educators
🎨 Technology and Creative Education
🤖 AI and Cognitive Science
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Event Timeline
Thursday, 2 April 2026 · 2:30–5:00 PM
Opening Ceremony (Hybrid)
Kick-off event at Microsoft Office Sydney, including opening sessions and in-person team formation support
Friday, 3 April 2026 · 11:59 PM
Track Selection & Team Formation Deadline
Final deadline to form teams and select your exploration track
2–8 April 2026
Innovation Sprint (Hybrid / Flexible Work Period)
Work on your project with your team, hybrid format supported
Wednesday, 8 April 2026 · 11:59 PM
Submission Deadline
Submit your project deliverables (demo video and pitch deck)
Thursday, 9 April 2026 · 1:30–6:00 PM
Final Expo & Showcase (Onsite)
Present your solutions, judging, and awards ceremony at University of Technology Sydney
📍Location: Sydney
Opening Day: Microsoft Office Sydney
Final Demo Day: Building 11, University of Technology Sydney
⚠️ Onsite attendance required: 2 April (Opening Ceremony) and 9 April (Final Showcase)
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Benefits of Participation
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Prize Pool: AUD $3,000+
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Hands-on AI × EdTech Experience
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Expert Mentorship (Microsoft & ecosystem partners)
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Pathway to Microsoft Startup Program + US$5,000 Azure Credits
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Internship Opportunities from challenge setters / partners
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Experience with Most Frontier Technology
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Interdisciplinary Networking
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Presentation Opportunities within Cambridge communities
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Who Can Join?
Everyone is welcome — both inside and outside Sydney — as long as at least one member of your team can present onsite on 9 April 2026 in University of Technology Sydney.
- Apply individually or as a team
- Team formation will be supported on and before Opening Day (2 April)
- Interdisciplinary balance is encouraged
- All backgrounds welcome: education, humanities, psychology, design, engineering, computer science, and more!
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Supplementary Team Formation Support
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March 27 — Team Formation Support Form Released
Participants who fill in the form can appear on Talent Square for profile browsing and networking
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April 2 — In-person Team Formation
During Opening Ceremony at Microsoft Office Sydney
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April 3 (8 PM) — Optional Randomised Team Formation Support
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Submission Requirements
- 2–3 minute video of your working prototype/demo
- Pitch deck for a 4-minute presentation explaining your educational idea and how your solution addresses the challenge
- Use of AI vibe coding tools is encouraged
- Judging will focus on the application value and impact of your solution, not the specific tools used
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Judging
- Judging focuses on educational application and relevance to the challenge
- Coding is not the primary focus
- AI-assisted vibe coding is highly encouraged
- Demo Day judging follows an expo-style format, with roaming expert judges interacting with teams
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Intellectual Property
- Your team owns 100% of your project
- Organisers may request permission to display selected work for non-commercialised purposes
- Photos of the event may be used for media purposes
- Participants can contact the organisers if they have any concerns